Linear motion ad and partition panel

ABSTRACT

A mechanical device and system to expedite the check-out process, comprising a rail mounted vertically suspended partition panel  1 , to separate orders at the check-out counter and a medium for advertising various products and services on said panel.  
     Vertical movement of the partition panel  1  is facilitated by way of the panel hinge  4 , connected to the turret  5  which affords lateral mobility to said panel  1.    
     The turret base  6  houses bearings to facilitate movement along the travel rail  7  with end stops  9  preventing said turret base  6  from advancing beyond said travel rail&#39;s  7  linear limitations.  
     The partition panel hatch  2  provides easy access for the mounting of commercial display materials on either side of the partition panel  1 , which are held securely in place by the partition panel frame  3.    
     Stability is maintained by attaching the entire system to the inside railing of the checkout counter  8  by way of the travel rail  7.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mechanical device and systemdeveloped for the purpose of expediting the checkout process throughseparation of orders at the checkout counter. Said device also serves asa medium for the advertisement of various products and services.

2. Description of the Related Art

The prior art consists of various forms of elongated plastic blockscommonly known as “order dividers.” These blocks are physically placedbetween orders, in an effort to separate them on the checkout counter.However, since these dividers are not a permanent fixture of thecheckout counter, they have a tendency to become lost or misplaced.

Their universally small surface area, also makes for a far lesseffective medium for advertising. And, because they divide orders alonga low horizontal rather than a high vertical plane, the separation isfar less discernible than that created by the present invention.

Unlike the present invention, the prior art is void of any mechanicalproperties, which would allow it to address these and other concerns.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a technique and system to moreeffectively divide customer orders at the checkout counter. Thisinvention serves to better expedite the checkout process, while alsocreating a more effective medium for advertising various products andservices. Both innovations address and overcome the issues and problemsexisting in prior art, as previously outlined.

Unlike prior art, the present invention is a true mechanical device,composed of numerous moving parts, in order to perform its tasks.

Permanently mounted to the checkout counter, these mechanical propertiesallows the present invention to separate customer orders along a morediscernible vertical axis, by way of a sliding partition panel,suspended from a turret.

The greater surface area of the partition panel of said invention,provides a larger format over prior art, upon which various products andservices may be more effectively advertised.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a semi-overhead view of the left side of the present inventionprior to activation at the checkout counter (not depicted in drawing).

FIG. 2 illustrates the present invention as the turret 5 facilitates thepartition panel 1 to rotate and lock at a 90-degree angle across thecheckout counter (not depicted in drawing).

FIG. 3 depicts the partition panel 1, consisting of the panel frame 3and panel hatch 2, positioned at a 90-degree vertical angle, as part ofthe range of motion to return said panel to its original position ofFIG. 1.

This range of motion is made possible by way of the panel hinge 4attached to the turret 5 mounted on the turret base 6. The turret base 6is positioned on the travel rail 7 whereby end stops 9 prevent the unitfrom sliding beyond the linear limits of the travel rail 7.

FIG. 4 illustrates the panel frame hatch 2 in the open position,allowing easy access of promotional material to be inserted on eitherside of the partition panel 1, where they are held securely in place bythe panel frame 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Saidinvention is a mechanically operated rail mounted vertically suspendedpartition panel, designed to separate customer orders at supermarketcheckout counters and similar retail environments.

This invention allows customers to position their purchases on thecheckout counter without fear of mixing or merging with the previouscustomer's order. Said invention further serves to minimize confusion,while facilitating the checkout process, by allowing customers to morequickly position their purchases for checkout.

FIG. 2 illustrates the vertical barrier created to separate purchaseswhen the partition panel 1, is moved into position. It is important tonote that this suspended vertical barrier of the present invention, is afar more discernible separation than the horizontal hump separation ofvarious elongated blocks placed on the counter, from prior art.

The unit FIG. 1, is activated by laterally rotating the partition panel1, out over the checkout counter (not depicted in drawing) until itlocks at a 90-degree angle as illustrated in FIG. 2. This positionserves to separate one order from the next. Movement of the checkoutcounter conveyer belt, (not depicted in drawing) propels items againstthe partition panel 1—FIG. 2, thereby causing the unit to advance alongwith the purchases to within reach of the cashier, to be electronicallyscanned. The cashier then lifts and rotates the panel FIG. 3 back intoposition FIG. 1 for the next shopper.

The stability and directional path of the unit is provided by the travelrail 7, which is attached to the inside railing of the checkout counter8. End stops 9, prevent the unit from moving beyond the limits of thetravel rail 7.

The unit is mounted onto the travel rail 7, by way of the turret base 6,which houses metal bearings to facilitate movement. The 90-degreelateral movement of the partition panel 1, is accomplished through theturret 5.

The panel hinge 4, allows for any up and down movements FIG. 3, of thepartition panel 1, required to maneuver said panel in or out of positionas needed.

In addition to performing the practical function of separating orders atthe checkout counter, this invention also serves as an oversizedeye-catching medium for advertising. It should be noted that advertisingon prior art has been limited to crammed surfaces, on what amounts toelongated blocks used to separate orders at the checkout counter.

The present invention provides over twice the advertising space on itspartition panel 1, vertically suspended from the turret 5, like aminiature billboard.

The partition panel hatch 2—FIG. 4 allows for easy loading of admaterials on either side of the partition panel 1, which are heldsecurely in place by the partition panel frame 3.

1. A rail mounted vertically suspended partition panel to separateorders at the checkout counter, comprising a hinge member connecting aturret with said partition panel, also equipped with a panel hatch forloading and a panel frame for securing promotional materials for variousproducts and services.
 2. A rail mounted vertically suspended partitionpanel to separate orders at the checkout counter, wherein a live hingeattached to said panel, provides for the vertical manipulation of saidpanel.
 3. A rail mounted vertically suspended partition panel toseparate orders at the checkout counter, comprising a turret connectedto said panel by way of a live hinge, facilitating the lateralmanipulation of said panel.
 4. A rail mounted vertically suspendedpartition panel to separate orders at the checkout counter, wherein aturret base housing metal bearings, facilitates the linear motion ofsaid panel along said rail.